A LIBERAL Democrat councillor has slammed a council decision not to reopen the Waterloo Centre in Runcorn.

Cllr Sue Blackmore (Mersey Ward) supports proposals by Runcorn man Mark Finch to reopen the premises for New Hope Kids First, a church-based organisation run by Mr Finch for underprivileged children in Halton.

Mrs Blackmore said that a government paper, the Quirk Review, advises that any property closed for more than a year should be sold to the community for £1.

She also voiced fears that flats will be built on the site, and criticised the sub-committee for not consulting Mr Finch.

She said: “I fear that we may lose this old building, there are very few left now. Over the last 30-40 years we have lost so many.”

In response, Peter Searing, of HBC Property Services, said: “The long-term future of this area, The Waterloo Building, the library and the Rathbone Building, is linked to the future of the library.

“The intention is to move the library and develop a modern facility as part of the Canal Quarter development bringing it more into the centre of the town.

“Once that relocation takes place the council will then look at the potential uses/opportunities for that complete corner site.”